DSi Poly Evolver Keyboard Updated

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Front Panel Gets a Functional and Cosmetic Makeover
HALF MOON BAY, Calif.—November 5, 2009—Dave Smith Instruments has released an updated version of its flagship synthesizer keyboard, the Poly Evolver. The new version boasts 60 potentiometers among its complement of 78 rotary controls. “The response to the pot edition of the Prophet ’08 has been overwhelmingly positive,” said company founder Dave Smith, “so we decided to extend that functionality to the Poly Evolver, as well.” Unlike endless rotary encoders, potentiometers allow the full range of a knob’s values to be accessed in a single turn of about 300 degrees. That simplifies filter sweeps and other more performance-oriented gestures. A kit with potentiometer-equipped panel boards is available to convert older Poly Evolvers. There have also been some cosmetic changes. “We needed both lined and unlined knobs to distinguish between the pots and encoders, so we’re using Prophet-style knobs,” said DSI’s Andrew McGowan. “And we’ve updated the panel graphics a bit without changing them significantly.” The wood end panels are now made from bubinga.

First released in 2005, the Poly Evolver received multiple awards and has been used extensively by artists such as Nine Inch Nails, The Faint, Silversun Pickups, Van She, and Thursday. An analog/digital hybrid, the four-voice Poly Evolver features four oscillators—two analog and two digital—in a unique stereo voice architecture with a real Curtis analog low-pass filter per channel on each voice. The digital processing does not simply add effects at the end of the signal chain, but is tightly integrated with the analog electronics for tuned feedback, distortion, bit crushing, and synced delays. It can also process external audio and has separate stereo outputs for each voice.

The updated Poly Evolver Keyboard is available now with an MSRP of $2,899.00 and an MAP of $2,599.00. The conversion kit requires nothing more than a screwdriver for installation and is available directly from DSI for $399.00 or factory installed for $449.00.

For more information, visit www.davesmithinstruments.com.

Specifications
5-octave, semi-weighted keyboard action with velocity and aftertouch.
Backlit, spring-loaded pitch wheel and assignable mod wheel.
512 fully editable Programs (4 banks of 128) and 384 Combos (3 banks of 128).
Numeric keypad for direct access of Programs and Combos.
For each of the four voices:
Oscillators: 2 digitally controlled analog oscillators (DCOs) with selectable sawtooth, triangle, saw/triangle mix,
and pulse waves (with pulse-width modulation), and hard sync; 2 digital wavetable oscillators with Prophet VS
waves and wave sequencing capability, FM and ring modulation.
White noise generator.
2 Low-pass filters: 1 analog Curtis filter per channel, selectable 2- and 4-pole operation (self-resonating in 4-pole
mode).
3 Envelope Generators: filter, VCA, and assignable (four-stage ADSR).
4 LFOs.
Glide (portamento): separate rates per oscillator.
Analog VCAs.
Digital high-pass filter.
Digital delays: 3 separate, syncable, stereo delay lines.
Tuned feedback with “Grunge”: use feedback as a pitched sound source.
Distortion and “Output Hack.”
16 x 4 step sequencer.
Ins and Outs
MIDI In, Out, Thru, and Poly Chain.
Stereo audio input: 1/4” unbalanced.
Main stereo audio output: 1/4” unbalanced.
Separate stereo outputs (per voice): 1/4” unbalanced
Stereo Mix Input: for Poly Chained Poly Evolvers.
Sustain pedal input: accepts normally on or normally off momentary footswitch.
Pedal/CV1 and Pedal/CV2 inputs: responds to expression pedals or control voltages ranging from 0 to 5 VDC
(protected against higher or negative voltages).
Headphone output: 1/4” stereo phone jack.